She asked me to share the post with my readers and as someone who suffered from Post Partum Depression I, of course, have to share this with you.

I would never claim to be the voice of PPD, however, I will always share my experiences – my triumphs and my failures – of my PPD journey and of being a new(er) mom. I am sooo honored that Christine found my blog and asked me to share this with all of you.

And please please! share this…we moms need to remember to hug each other sometimes. We should not be competing against each other but rather should be embracing each other. 🙂

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The 12 Most Important Books to Read Postpartum

Your baby’s here. Now what?

Chances are good that you read plenty of books on pregnancy, but did you remember to pick up a few about what happens after you deliver your bundle of joy? Breastfeeding, sleeping, postpartum health, and a brand new view on life are just some of the issues that new moms can really use help with in the early months of parenthood. Check out our list, and you’ll find 12 essential books for supporting brand new moms.

As a new mom, you’ve just strapped yourself into an 18+ year ride of hilarious and sometimes embarrassing moments. Confessions of a Scary Mommy hits on so many of these moments, featuring original essays that share the truth about parenting. From doling out M&Ms at the grocery store just for survival to looking pregnant several months postpartum, this book is both relatable and hilarious. Read it now as a new mom to find out what’s coming, then pick it up again in a couple years so that you can smile and nod in agreement.

This highly regarded book is an essential guide to taking care of yourself as you learn how to take care of your new baby. It covers everything from breastfeeding to eating and sleeping well, plus tips for finding balance as a mom. Be sure to check it out and find practically everything you’ll need to find support in your first year of motherhood.

News flash: sometimes babies can be a bit grouchy. And whiny. And refuse to sleep. It might even make you a little grouchy and whiny yourself. But there is hope, and it’s in this often-recommended bestselling book from Dr. Harvey Karp. In it, Karp explains how to hit the “reset” button on your baby and trigger a calming reflex through the five “S’s”: swaddling, side lying, shushing, swinging, and sucking. This book is a can’t-miss read for any parent struggling with a crying baby.

For attachment parenting families, this book from Dr. Sears is practically a bible. Featuring an attachment-style approach to every aspect of baby care, The Baby Book is an essential read for moms who want to explore this type of parenting. Specifically, it includes tips for bonding, breastfeeding, babywearing, and the development of strong family relationships.

For some new mothers, postpartum depression is a terrible reality that they have to deal with. Although there’s no replacement for professional treatment, this book offers a great guide to overcoming postpartum depression. Check out This Isn’t What I Expected to learn about the myths surrounding PPD, and find advice and support for working through this difficult stage.

There’s a good chance you read What to Expect When You’re Expecting (and maybe you even saw the movie); here’s the postpartum companion. What to Expect the First Year follows the same format as the pregnancy edition, walking you through the development stages of your baby’s first year. Follow along to find tips and reassurance for everything from newborn car seats to dealing with a colicky baby.

Breastfeeding moms may laugh at the idea of breastfeeding being “simple,” but that doesn’t make this book any less helpful for those who are still struggling to get it right. Breastfeeding Made Simple is an excellent companion for moms who are just starting out, explaining milk production, pumping, breast refusal, and other issues that may pop up. This book is even a great resource for established breastfeeders, offering advice for gently weaning your baby on to solid foods.

Another great guide for breastfeeding, The Nursing Mother’s Companion has been trusted by families for more than 25 years. This book is all about overcoming difficulties in breastfeeding, from the first week all the way to the toddler years. You’ll learn about what’s normal and what’s not, with clear, concise resources for making things work. In addition to tips and guidance, you’ll also find helpful resources like a drug interactions section that will help you quickly find out what effects your over-the-counter and prescription drugs may have on a breastfeeding baby.

This book from Elizabeth Pantley offers an alternative to the Ferber technique, sharing a sleep solution that doesn’t involve “crying it out.” In The No-Cry Sleep Solution, you’ll learn about the stumbling blocks to sleeping, find out how to work with your baby’s biological sleep rhythms, and create a plan to get your baby sleeping through the night. The highlight of this book is the Persistent Gentle Removal System, which is designed to teach your baby to sleep without breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or pacifier use.

Much like the What to Expect books, this guide from the American Academy of Pediatrics offers an authoritative voice on early child care. You’ll find guidelines and milestones, resources for basic care, and an entire health encyclopedia for under-5s, covering everything from illnesses to congenital diseases. Plus, there are special guides for breastfeeding, immunizations, child care programs, and car safety seats. This book truly covers everything new moms might need to know about.

Simultaneously hilarious and helpful, this book solves the problem that so many parents have lamented: babies don’t come with an owner’s manual. You’ll have to purchase this one separately from your bundle of joy, but The Baby Owner’s Manual is an invaluable resource for learning exactly how your baby works. You’ll find instructions and even schematic diagrams that cover just about every question you may have as a new mom, from learning how to swaddle a baby to knowing when to bring your baby to the doctor.

Jenny McCarthy has been a divisive figure in the parenting world, but her views on vaccines make no difference in this wildly entertaining memoir about her first year of motherhood. Nothing is too brash for McCarthy in Baby Laughs, as she covers postnatal embarrassments including adult diapers, numbing spray, and medicated pads. You’ll even find out how she tackled dad obstacles like expecting sex, and grandparent antics including dueling grandmas. Read along and enjoy this incredibly relatable book for all new moms.

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I honestly haven’t read any of these books except #12, Baby Laughs, which I highly recommend. Jenny McCarthy also wrote Belly Laughs and Life Laughs, and I recommend both of those books as well! Very quick and easy reads and also sooo hilarious.

My friend loaned me #6, What to Expect the First Year, and I did flip through that occasionally as a reference guide, but to be honest, the PPD was drowning me so I wasn’t doing a whole lot of reading at that time.

I wish someone had handed me #5, This Isn’t What I Expected. I’m actually thinking I may read it now even though I’m in a different state of mind to see if it is something I personally would recommend because a lot of people do reach out to me regarding PPD and depression/anxiety in general. So I will read it and let you know my thoughts. But, hang tight, because I’m currently reading 50 Shades of Grey….

I hope you found this list helpful. A big thank you to Christine at Medicalbillingandcoding.org for sharing this wonderful post with us!

**If you think you or someone you know may be suffering from PPD please contact a medical professional immediately.

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This blog is for entertainment purposes only. This blog contains Jlee's personal opinions and should not be used as guidance. Jlee's viewpoints may change on a daily basis. Jlee is the sole owner of all content on this website. Should you have questions or problems with any material expressed on this website please contact Jlee at jlee5879@live.com.